PRAKRITI

ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015

PRAKRITI WATER TANK ROAD, VILLAGE LONARA, POST GUMTHI, NAGPUR 441111 MAHARASHTRA, INDIA (0712-2052305, 2052306 E-MAIL: prakriti_ngp@bsnl.in,

prakriti_ngp@rediffmail.com WEBSITE: www.prakritiwomen.org

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CONTENTS

1 Message From The Secretary

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2 Tribute To Shri Manohar Goplelwar

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3 Beneficiaries Speak

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4 Mission Statement

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5 Specific Target Areas

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6 Partners And Benefactors

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7 Achievements: 2014-2015

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8 Inspiring Life Stories Of Pioneers Pf Prakriti

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9 Women Leaders Who Brought Significant Changes

In The Lives Of Many: (VASUDHA SMRITI AWARD -2015)

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10 Programs During The Year

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11 Events, Symposiums And Workshops

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12 Prospective Plans 16

13 List of Board Members 17

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1. MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY :

It is with great privilege and happiness that I express my gratitude to all my

family members of Prakriti, benefactors, collaborators and supporters who

have with dedication and sincerely worked for the development of women and

marginalized communities in our target areas. This is the Silver Jubilee year of

Prakriti and thus the Annual Conference was organized in the month of

February. On the occasion of this Silver Jubilee event, we tried to reach out to

all our patrons, well wishers, donors and most importantly, all the rural

women who accompanied us in our journey.

Prakriti always strives to develop human resource in all its programs and

activities. The reason for capacitating human resources has an objective of

making the program sustainable. In the last 25 years, Prakriti has developed a

cadre of 140 Fellows (men and women), these Fellows are now engaged in

development work in other states and private agencies, while some of them

have started their own organizations.

At the village level, a force of 200 rural women has been equipped to face the

future with all its challenges and forge ahead. These women are trained as

part of Prakriti’s different programs implemented in Vidarbha- Maharashtra,

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. There were moments of pride, when these

women from villages received awards and accolades for their good work.

Prakriti is committed to work towards emerging issues concerning women, and

as a consequence of this thinking Prakriti is now working on the issue of Farm

widows in Vidarbha. In the suicide prone belt of Vidarbha, which records the

highest number of farmer’s suicides, Prakriti plans to make all possible efforts

to bring some solace and comfort to the agrarian community of th is region.

With this commitment, Prakriti has decided to enter into a totally new area of

Community mental health in Vidarbha and has succeeded in demonstrating

desirable outcomes. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in

the incidences of violence against women, which gets exacerbated as most

affected women do not have proper education and the skills to handle the

situation and this leads to further victimization. Thus Prakriti from this year

has planned to work with young women so that they can complete their

education, and are also able to make their own decisions in whatever

situations they are.

Prakriti will continue its journey on the path of women’s empowerment and

urge all its supporters, well wishers and donors to join hands and express their

solidarity.

Prakriti is sad to lose one of its Founder members; Shri Manohar Golpelwar

passed away in January. It was a great loss for Prakriti. We all will always

cherish his contribution which promoted the growth of Prakriti over these

memorable years.

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2. TRIBUTE TO SHRI MANOHAR GOPLELWAR:

Shri Manohar Golpelwar was one of the Founder Members of Prakriti and

contributed a great deal to the growth and development of the organization.

GolpelwarJi as we all addressed him, was a respected figure in the

development field of Vidarbha. He was a pioneer in the field of Youth

Development, through Indian Institute of Youth Development (IIYW). Later his

work was acknowledged by the Government and through IIYW he implemented

many government programs for youth including skill development. Nehru

Yuva Kendra Sangathan was another Institute where he contributed

tirelessly. He was a Board member of Gandhi Peace Center (GPC) and later

become the Chairperson of GPC. He was also the executive member of Vishwa

Yuva Kendra and International Youth Hostel. There are hardly any institutions

or programs for youth in the country, where Golpelwarji may not have

contributed. GolpelwarJi was not keeping well for past few years and passed

away in January 2015. We in Prakriti will remember him for his soft spoken

persona and readiness to accept all suggestions.

3. BENEFICIARIES SPEAK :

Chanda Risodkar a Farm widow from Akola

district expresses her joy by saying “I could

get the post Of Aanganwadi worker because

of Prakriti’s intervention and also my children

are able to continue their education as they

receive educational help from Prakriti. I am

greatly thankful to them.”

Pushpa, a single women from

Itangoti village of Nagpur

district, expressed that she

never thought that she will ever

be able to contribute for the

society. “With what I received

from Prakriti has enabled me to

understand my strengths and

now as Gramsakahi, I

confidently work for single

women and their families in the

village which gives me immense

satisfaction. “

Alka a young woman could start

her life afresh after she filed

divorce petition in the court. Alka

was tortured for dowry and

returned to her parents within six

months of marriage. She registered

her case in the counseling center

and then gathered the courage to

file the FIR first and later a dowry

petition. “I am now relieved of

much physical and mental abuse

and feel happy and hope for a

better future. All thanks to

Prakriti.”

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PRAKRITI

Tata Trust

Sangath

VNGISS

High court committe

SNDT University

SP office Nagpur

IWID

4. MISSION STATEMENT :

Empowering Women and Promoting a Gender-Just Society

5. SPECIFIC TARGET AREAS :

Two projects viz. VISHRAM and Consolidation of Work on Addressing

Agrarian Crisis through Community Initiatives are implemented in the

marked districts in Maharashtra

6. PARTNERS AND BENEFACTORS :

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7. ACHIEVEMENTS: 2014-2015:

‡ Ms. Shobha Sakharwade, Founder Member and Secretary of Prakriti is

the recipient of Hirkani Award in 2014.

‡ Elected women representatives in Gram Panchayat have been re-elected as

they have done commendable work for the development of their villages.

‡ 20 cases of distressed women settled amicably upholding the values of

justice, equality and dignity of every individual.

‡ In VISHRAM, during this year 12 outreach clinics were conducted and 450

mentally ill provided treatments in these clinics. 60 cases of severe

mentally ill patients are progressing towards stabilization and recovery.

‡ Smt. Shalini Raut and Smt Varsha Bhuyar from village communities

have proposed innovative projects to earn a living with available resources.

‡ 24 children who were provided with educational support, were also able to

take up computer and tuition classes for enhancing their knowledge and

skills.

‡ 15 women have successfully completed the certificate course on Panchayati

Raj conducted by SNDT University, Mumbai, Maharashtra.

8. INSPIRING LIFE STORIES of Pioneers of Prakriti:

All these eminent dignitaries were remembered and honored at the Annual

Conference that was held on 8th& 9th February 2015 in Prakriti Campus,

Lonara this year.

Late Dr. Vasudha Dhagamwar

was a pioneer in establishing

women’s groups and

enlightening illiterate and rural

women on their legal rights by

providing knowledge in a simple

language. She believed in the

leadership of rural women and

always said that laws are just

guidelines and if everyone

decides to follow the right path

then there will be least need of

laws. This year on the occasion

of Silver Jubilee three women

Sarpanchs were awarded

Vasusdha Smriti Award for

their good work

were awarded with Vasuw

MS. Shobha Sakahrwade , Founder

Member and Secretary of Prakriti

received Hirkani Award by

Sahyadri Channel - Mumbai

Doordarshan on the occasion of

Women’s Day.

Dr. Rajni Patni another Founder

member of Prakriti has expertise in

the field of education and health.

Her contribution to Prakriti is in the

area of education and Violence

against women.

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9. WOMEN LEADERS WHO BROUGHT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

IN THE LIVES OF MANY: (Vasudha Smriti Award -2015)

Being empowered through the impactful interventions of Prakriti in rural areas,

in 2010, Smt. Shalini Kodape, was elected Sarpanch of Antora, Ashti,

Wardha district representing the Scheduled Caste community. Since then she

has led many campaigns. One of which was of bringing a stay on the anti-

encroachment activity that was initiated by powerful members of the

community. She also actively headed the campaign to stop illegal sale of sand

and got the Tehsildar arrested in this activity. She activated the Anganwadi,

PHC and other centres in the village. Her village was also awarded the best

village free of disputes and thus received the title of ‘Model village’.

Shri Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari Presenting Vasucha Smriti Award to Women Sarpanch

Smt. Sharda Wagh, Sarpanch of Pawni village, district Bhandara. She was

elected Sarpanch consecutively for the third term in the Amgaon Panchayat.

She motivated illiterate women to form groups and provided them with literacy

sessions. She assisted widows and single woman headed families to avail the

benefits of pension schemes. These works enabled the village Panchayat to

acquire the award of a Model Village.

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Being elected for the first time as a Sarpanch of the village Panchayat

Wayegaon in Chandrapur district, Smt. Meera Hajare tirelessly works for

the upliftment of the poor and marginalized community. She has constructed

toilets in the village and assisted women to avail various schemes for their

benefit provided by the Government.

10. PROGRAMS DURING THE YEAR:

❖ EDUCATIONAL:

Through its considerable and commendable efforts over the years, Prakriti

generated funds to provide educational support to 24 children in the suicide

affected families of Akola, Barshitakli and Murtizapur blocks. The children

were not only able to attend their regular school and further their education

but with the minimum support they also took up computer education classes

and joined coaching classes. The self-esteem and self-confidence exhibited

through their actions and behaviour was a moment of pride for the children

and their families.

❖ HEALTH:

➢ AWARENESS PROGRAM ON NUTRITION AND HEALTH:

`An awareness program on Nutrition and Health was organized on

3rd January 2015 in Prakriti Campus, Lonara for adolescent girls.

The focus of the program was on ‘Nutritional Diet’. The sessions

were facilitated by Dr. Jayshree Pendharkar. During the session

Dr. Jayshree informed the participants about Prakriti’s OPD clinic on

the campus, providing treatment and guidance on health issues for

women and adolescent girls in the vicinity. The use of awareness

songs made the session lively and active. With the help of a pictorial

presentation, the facilitator enlightened the participants with

knowledge on stages of physical growth, changes and outcomes

affecting the physical and

psychological processes.

She also clarified the four

types of problems faced

during these development

and growth stages.

The session included

sessions on daily diet,

intervals of diet intake

during the day, food

components, properties of

various food items etc.

necessary for a healthy and

nutritional diet. Participants were encouraged to take up proper

Workshop for Adolescent Girls

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dietary habits between the age groups of 8-16 years as these were

the prime years of growth for every woman to remain healthy.

➢ VIDARBHA STRESS AND HEALTH PROGRAM (VISHRAM):

VISHRAM was launched in November 2011 and in 2014 it entered its

final phase of completion. The aim was provision of treatment for

mental disorders delivered by ordinary persons who had been

trained. VISHRAM is now successfully progressing ahead. Being the

World Health day Programme, Dhamangaon,

Amravati

World Health day Programme,

Chandurbajar, Amravati

Community Health Workers with Dr. Anand Nadkarni

implementing partner Prakriti implemented programs for generating

awareness and promoting advocacy efforts of the community. A f ilm

by UBS School of Journalism, USA was also filmed in December in

Prakriti project areas to showcase at the global level the treatments

being provided by trained health counselors and community health

workers. PRAKASHDOOT was an audio-video tool that was

developed by IPH Thane and Dr. Anand Nadkarni trained the

community health workers to use this tool to generate awareness.

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Awareness Programme in the Field

To commemorate the World Health Day, April 7 th, a mass awareness program

was organized along with Sangath and NKP Salve Institute and Medical

Sciences, Hingna. The workshop provided information onvarious mental

disorders and treatments currently available and which can be accessed by

everyone. The workshop gave the message that ‘Mental Illness is

Treatable’, 40 community health workers and 12 health counselors

participated in the program.

Health Counselors trained to deliver Healthy Activity Program to treat mild

depression and Counseling for Alcohol Problems module to treat alcohol

related problems are now engaged in delivering these in established

counseling centres in the villages. People now have begun to realize the

importance and need for counseling therapy as treatment. During the year

they have conducted 179 counseling sessions.

Refresher Trainings are a regular feature of VISHRAM which are conducted on

a monthly basis on topics such as mental health, mental health first aid, rights

of the mentally ill etc.

Outreach clinics are another core component of the program. During this year

12 outreach clinics were conducted and 450 mentally ill were provided

treatment in these clinics.

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60 cases of severe mentally ill patients are progressing towards stabilization

and recovery.

❖ GOVERNANCE AND LAWS:

➢ NAGPUR DISTRICT CENTRE:

This centre was established to provide legal aid to women in distress

and women who have been victims of exploitation from adjoining

villages of Lonara - the Prakriti campus location. Cases of dowry

demands, sexual abuse and domestic violence faced by women are

registered with the Counselling Centre functional within the Prakriti

Campus. This year 70 such cases are being dealt with of which 20

cases have been settled as per relevant laws of our country

providing justice and equality.

In February 2015, a workshop in collaboration with Police Control

Room, Nagpur and Indian Security, New Delhi was organized which

was attended by distinguished persons such as DCP Crime,

Advocates, Media persons and Counsellors. The topic of discussion

was mainly the PWDV Act 2005 to prevent women from atrocities.

The centre also witnessed an increasing number of cases amongst

the Muslim community women. Reports of husbands having multiple

wives, early marriages, insecure environments for minor girls in the

family, demand for multiple children and prevention of the girls f rom

acquiring higher education were frequent complaints.

Women Parliament: ToT & Follow-up Workshops

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➢ FOLLOW-UP WORKSHOP ON GOOD GOVERNANCE AND WOMEN

PARLIAMENT FOR RURAL WOMEN OF MAHARASHTRA:

Prakriti and IWID are two organizations engaged in the process of

empowering women for past several years. From 11th to 18th

December 2014 a Follow-up Workshop on Good Governance and

Women’s Parliament for rural women of Maharashtra was organized.

Participants from Nagpur, Bhandara, Wardha, Yavatmal,

Chandrapur and Gadchiroli attended the program Participants

included the Sarpanch, Police Patil, SHG leaders and women farmers.

The session of the workshop began with Adv. Smita Deshpande’s talk

on Equal Rights of men and women as mentioned in Articles 12 to 19

and 21 and 51 of the Constitution. She further emphasized the laws

on protection of Rights of Women and Children, Rights of Deprived

sections of the society, Right to Education, Right to Information,

food security etc.

During the session the groups listed various problems the women

encounter in their day to day lives prevalent in their villages. Adv.

Smita gave satisfactory lawful solutions to address their problems.

She then took up the topic of electoral rights and laws to update the

women on these issues.

The program concluded with the participants preparing a feasible

plan of action by which their updated knowledge could bear fruit.

One of the activities in their core plan was to pass a resolution

demanding reservation for women in assembly and parliament

elections to be passed by the Mahila Gram sabha.

➢ WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN POLICE INSPECTORS AND

CONSTABLES ON GENDER SENSITIZATION AND WOMEN’S

RIGHTS:

A workshop for women

police inspectors and

constables on gender

sensitization and women’s

rights was organized on

13th March 2015, along

with the Rural Police

Headquarters in their own

premises. A total number

of 7 Women Police

Inspectors and 103 police

constables attended this

workshop. Distinguished

Advocate Shri. Soumya

Bhoumik facilitated the workshop and shared her rich expertise on

various laws pertaining towomen’s rights in the country.

Workshop for Women Police at Nagpur (Rural) Police Head Quarter

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The key note address delivered by Suvarna Damle highlighted the

low status of women in the country and gender differences that are

evident in every sector. But women have achieved their presence

and proved their capabilities in sectors which were predominantly

acquired by men. Police forces is one such sector which never

dreamt of having women police amongst them as it was assumed

that this kind of work was mainly suitable for men. But today women

police have not only increased in numbers but have also exhibited

skills better than their male counterparts.

During her session, Adv. Soumya Bhoumik screened a film ’Ashwini’

which revealed child sexual exploitation in various ways. The

participants agreed that the instances exposed in the film were real

incidents happening today in their respective areas. The facilitator

then explained in detail the POCSO Act( Prevention of Children from

Sexual Offences Act) by citing real case studies of heinous sexual

crimes that children are facing in various parts of the country.

The facilitator further emphasized three important laws on women

viz. Prevention of Dowry Act, (Section 498 A), Section 304 B and the

Prevention of Women Against Domestic Violence Act.

The workshop concluded with the presence and satisfaction

expressed by distinguished Rural Superintendent of Police, Dr. Arti

Singh and the vote of thanks proposed by esteemed Pratibha Ukey

from Prakriti.

➢ LEGAL LITERACY CAMP:

A legal literacy camp on Anti ragging Act was organized in

association with High Court

legal services sub-

committee for the students

of Jhulelal Institute of

Technology Nagpur on

8th August 2014. Senior

Advocate Smt. Ujjwala

Patil was the chief

facilitator, while Ms.

Bharti Kale Dy. Registrar

High Court Nagpur

presided over as a chief

guest.

Figure 1Workshop on Anti-Ragging Act at Jhulelal Institute of Technology, Nagpur

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❖ AGRICULTURE:

➢ CONSOLIDATION OF WORK ON ADDRESSING AGRARIAN

CRISIS THROUGH COMMUNITY INITIATIVES:

Supported by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust this 3 year long valuable support

to Farmer’s Widows came to an end in June 2014. There were a

series of events that were conducted in this program

Workshop for Farmer’s Widows on Cultivation and Management of

Kharif Crops: This workshop was organized on in April 2014 in Akola

district which was facilitated by Shri Prashant Devkar from

Swaminathan Research Foundation Wardha. 80 women farmers from

Amravati and Akola districts participated. Participants were provided

inputs on soil testing, crop management, seed testing, scientific

cultivation and harvesting.

Meeting of the Local Resource Team (LRT) with community members:

LRT members met with the beneficiaries of suicide affected family

members in Akola and planned tasks to be taken up in future as this

intervention was being phased out in June 2014. In May and June

2014, the Program and District Coordinators visited the homes of

every beneficiary and interacted with them and assessed the status

of their families, and, provided them inputs to sustain their

improved lives which this intervention had assisted.

➢ ENTERPREURSHIP DEVELOPMENT:

B-Fund is a donor agency that provides monetary aid to women

entrepreneurs who take up innovative self-employment activities. Ms

Neha from B-fund was invited to conduct a workshop for women from

Akola and Amravati districts. Two innovative proposals for a mobile

nursery were proposed by Smt. Shalini Raut and a community

resource centre proposed by Varsha Bhuyar were sent to B-fund.

11. EVENTS, SYMPOSIUMS AND WORKSHOPS:

❖ CELEBRATION OF 25 MEMORABLE YEARS OF PRAKRITI:

Prakriti a non-governmental institution was established in 1990 under the

esteemed aegis of Shri K. S RadhaKrishna , Shri Harnath, Dr. Vasudha

Dagamwar, Dr. Rajni Patni, Shri P Sakharwade, Smt. Shobha

Sakharwade and Shri Manohar Golpelwar.

Since then, inspired by the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi and Vinoba

Bhave, Prakriti has forged ahead bracing all challenges for empowering

women and other marginalized sections of the society. It has spread its

work in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra comprising of districts such as

Nagpur, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Akola and Amravati along with

districts in Madhya Pradesh such as Balaghat, Seoni, Chindwara and

Mandla and also districts of Rajnandgaon and Durg in Chhattisgarh.

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In October 2015, Prakriti will complete and celebrate 25 memorable years

of dedication and welfare towards making our country a better place for

women to live in. To commemorate and begin the journey of celebration,

Prakriti organized a Two day Gathering of women on 8 th and 9th February.

Mostly women from rural areas where Prakriti has its existence were invited

for the program. A total number of 140 persons participated in all the

programs that were organized on both these days.

Dignitaries of the Program: Honorable Ex-judge, Shri

Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari inaugurated the program. He delivered

an inspiring speech motivating the women to fight for their rights and work

for preservation and sustainability of the existing natural resources still

available in their villages. He further added that in the present day the

young generations have been deprived of such natural ecological systems.

Present with him were esteemed guests and members of Prakriti. Amongst

these dignitaries were Padamshree Smt. Tulsi Munda, Shri Pramod

Kulkarni, Adv. Smt. Surekha Dalwi, Sunita Bagal, Shri Subash

Gogate, Smt. Shobha Sakharwade, Suvarna Damle Dr. Rajiv Kulkarni

and Adv. Ashutosh Dharmadhikari.

After the inaugural and welcome speech delivered by the Secretary Ms.

Shobha Sakharwade, Suvarna Damle the Program Director of Prakriti

presented the history of Prakriti.

Highlights:

• Interestingly Prakriti began its journey by awarding fellowships to 12

women post-graduate students for two years. This paved the way for

Prakriti to establish its work in the rural areas it targeted to intervene.

• In 1994 the Prevention of Atrocities Against Women Cell (PAW) was

established in Mumbai and Women Police were deputed in these cells

that were also established in Akola and Chandrapur districts. Training of

these 30 women police was conducted by Prakriti.

• In 1996 it constituted its first women’s self-help group. The number of

SHGs grew over the years gradually attaining the figure of 675 self-help

groups.

• In 2000, Prakriti initiated a program called the ‘ Panchaya tSakhi’,

Through this program many women were capacitated to improve their

self esteem and work for development. This program also provided an

opportunity for them to meet the then President of India.

• In memory of the Ex-President of Prakriti Dr. Vasudha Dhagamwar,

Prakriti launched the ‘Vasudha Smriti Puraskar’ .

• Smt. Sunita Bagal presented inspiring messages to the women self-

help group members as she has rich expertise in motivating women to

form self-help groups and enhance their capacities towards progress

and development with dignity.

• Smt. Venutai Sable from Maharashtra, Smt. Pratibha Bhimte from

Madhya Pradesh and Smt. Belsiya from Chhattisgarh are amongst

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those women who not only became members of Self-Help groups but

also pioneered and struggled to constitute number of women self-help

groups in their villages.

❖ INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY:

International Women’s Day 2015 was commemorated on 10 th March in

Prakriti campus Lonara. On this occasion to promote women’s

empowerment and acknowledge the initiatives and efforts made by several

such women in rural areas, 10 women and girls were felicitated for their

hard work and efforts which brought changes in the lives of their fellow-

women in the villages.

The occasion was graced by Mrs. Anamika Mirzapurkar (ASI). She

shared her courageous life

story of which she is proud

today and also was

empathetic to women’s plight

in today’s scenario. Also

present was Mrs. Hemlata

Verma, Health Authority who

informed the participants

about the initial struggle of

women for their rights. She

further stated that these

movements thus not only

gave birth to the

establishment of International

Women’s Day, but also motivated many movements for the upliftment of

women globally. Citing the great visionaries Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai

Phule, respected Mrs. Hemlata ignited the fire in the minds of the women to

educate themselves and their daughters as she further added that

‘education’ is the weapon to elevate women’s status in the society.

The celebration was sparked with the cultural program where women

leaders dressed up like Rani of Jhansi, Savitribai Phule, Kasturba Gandhi

and Jijabai which sent a strong message of ‘Women’s Empowerment’

amongst the masses gathered for the program.

❖ PARENTS AND TEACHERS MEET:

A meeting of parents and teachers was organized on 29th November 2014

in Prakriti, Lonara Nagpur campus to generate awareness amongst parents

and teachers on the importance of education but also focusing on ‘mental

health of the children’ while imposing the burden of education on innocent

minds. The workshop emphasized that parents and teachers should work in

collaboration and support of one another to make education for children a

benefit rather than a burden.

International Women’s Day Programme

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❖ A WEEK LONG WORKSHOP ON WOMEN’S ISSUES BETWEEN 16TH

TO 24TH SEPTEMBER 2014:

This workshop was organized by Prakriti and the Department of Sociology

of Vasantrao Naik Government institute of Arts and Social Sciences,

Nagpur.

On 16th September, the program was inaugurated by Suvarna Damle and

Dr. Nilima Sinha which was followed by Prakriti and Women’s

International League for Peace and Freedom facilitating the Day One

sessions which included gender sensitization and gender discrimination

issues, gender biological and role differences. A film ‘Bai’ was screened

exposing the plight of dalit woman who dared to take the decision of family

planning without the permission of her alcoholic husband.

On Day Two, women’s participation in politics, challenges faced by women,

knowledge about mandatory provisions in political laws and reservation

rights of women in politics were some of the issues dealt with during the

day. Smt. Maya Wankhede an Ex-Sarpanch facilitated the day’s session

with her rich experience in politics. Smt. Archana Keche hailing from

Chanpa village, district Nagpur presently a Gram Sakhi of Prakriti also

expressed her experience in the village politics. Sessions on women’s

empowerment through self-help groups was also shared by Smt. Nirmala

Nistane from Bailwada, Nagpur and Smt. Sangita Uikey from Gumthi

Nagpur. Smt Sangita who is associated with Prakriti for the last two years

is also a distant learning student of SNDT College of Women Mumbai

expressed her deep faith in education which elevates women’s status in the

society.

Day Three culminated with the topic of Women and Mental Health

facilitated by Co-ordinators of Sangath Society, Prakriti’s resource partner

in VISHRAM program.

On Days Four and Five, the participants were provided an exposure visit to

Prakriti to learn and understand more about the structure, functions and

programs of Prakriti in the field of Women’s Development.

The workshop concluded with paper presentations by participants on

various issues of female genital mutilation, surrogacy in India, Therapy for

prevention and management of Stress and many more. Dr. Advaita, Dr.

Sadhana, Dr. Sushma Pankhule, Ms. Prabha, Ms Sampada were some

of the paper presenters.

The week long workshop was marked by impactful participation and co-

operation by all participants and organizers which made the event a successful

one.

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❖ CERTIFICATE COURSE ON PANCHAYATI RAJ: IN ASSOCIATION

WITH SNDT UNIVERSITY, MUMBAI:

15 women from Nagpur

district enrolled for this course

on Panchayati Raj and they have

successfully completed their

course. It is also worth

mentioning that their fees was

contributed by their respective

Gram Panchayats. This course is

conducted under the aegis of

Center for Distance education –

SNDT University, Mumbai. The

objective of this course is to build

the capacities of elected women

members of Gram Panchayats by imparting knowledge and skills to deliver

the duties effectively.

❖ TRAINING OF TRAINERS:

In collaboration with IWID, Prakriti organized a two day training of trainers

(TOT) on 11th& 12th November 2014 in Prakriti Campus, Lonara, Nagpur

for representatives of NGOs, Directors and other distinguished

representatives of Institutions. In all there were 27 participants who

actively participated in the program. The topic of the training was

‘Constitution and Legal Provisions in the constitution for Women in India’.

Eminent Smt. Jyotsna Chatterjee graced the occasion. The two day

training on ‘Good Governance and Constitution of India’ was facilitated in a

collaborative manner by Prakriti and IWID.

12 PROSPECTIVE PLANS:

Prakriti plans to work on the following issues in the ensuing year 2015-

2016:

• Empower Single women residing in rural areas by ensuring their

entitlements.

• Award fellowship to young women from rural areas of Nagpur district to

work on women’s issues.

• Promote and Administer the Counseling center for women in distress

• Organize workshops and seminars on Women’s issues in association with

other organizations.

• Organize legal literacy workshops.

• Provide educational support to children from suicide affected farmers’

families

• Work on community mental health and suicide prevention in suicide

prone area of Amravati district.

Smt. Leelatai Chitaley addressing students of Panchayat Raj course (SNDT)

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13 LIST OF BOARD MEMBERS:-

Smt. Kalindi Mujumdar

Chairperson, PRAKRITI 109, “Roksana”, Maharshi Karve Road,

Mumbai 440 020 , Maharashtra

Mr. Subhash Gogate

Vice Chairman, PRAKRITI E-95, Sector 41, NOIDA 201 301

Smt. Shobha Sakharwade Secretary, PRAKRITI

Water Tank Road, Village Lonara, Post Gumthi, Nagpur 441 111, Maharashtra

Ravinder Kumar Sharda Treasurer, PRAKRITI

R.K.Sharda & Associates C-2, Banda Bahadur Society Sector-14, Rohini,

New Delhi-110085

Ms. Suvarna Damle Executive Director PRAKRITI

505, Rachana Yuthika Kachimet, Amravati Road, Nagpur

Dr. Smt. Rajni Patni Member, PRAKRITI

Flat 803, Akshat Trishala C-57 Mahaveer Marg C Scheme,

Jaipur 302 001.

Ad. Mr. Prashant Sathianathan Member, PRAKRITI

Plot No. 45, Friends colony, Katol Road, Nagpur 13, Maharashtra

Dr. Mr. Rajeev Kulkarni Member, PRAKRITI

B-1, Shubhamkar, 159, Ram Nagar Hill Top Nagpur 440 033, Maharashtra

Ad. Mr. Ashutosh Dharmadhikari

Member, PRAKRITI “Gharkul” West Park Road,

Dhantoli, Nagpur 440012

Mr. Sarvan Kumar

Member, PRAKRITI II-137] Ranga Samudram Road,

B.Kothakota (P), B.Kothakota (M), Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh 517370

Ad. Smt. Ujwala Patil

Member, PRAKRITI 17, Indraprastha Layout,

Behind Gul Mohar Hall, Khamala Road, Nagpur

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14 STAFF LIST :-

1. Ms. Pratibha Ukey, Project Coordinator

2. Mr. Raju Taywade, Project Coordinator

3. Ms. Bharati Vitankar, Administrator

4. Mr. Rahul Mandpe, Accountant

5. Ms. Shilpa Datey, Coordinator

6. Ms. Pushpa Bhuyar, Campus In-charge

7. Mr. Ashish Tetu, Health Counselor

8. Mr. Gajesh Wankhade, Health Counselor

9. Mr. Lokpriya Meshram, Health Counselor

10. Mr. Samrat Khandare, Health Counselor

11. Mr. Janrao Haware, Health Counselor

12. Ms. Bharati Dongare, Health Counselor

13. Mr. Prashant Darwadkar, Health Counselor

14. Mr. Dharmaraj Sidam, Driver

15. Mr. Kishor Masram, Driver

16. Ms. Usha Meshram, Counselor

17. Ms. Vaishali Wasnik, Social Worker

18. Ms. Suchismita Priyadarshani, Social Worker

19. Ms. Mangala Tembhurne, Social Worker

20. Ms. Vandana Sakhare, Office Assistant (Ek Khidki Yojana)

21. Ms. Mangala Sidam, Office Assistant (Ek Khidki Yojana)

22. Ms. Ruplata Jaiswal, Mess & Office Assistant

23. Ms. Rekha Ajankar, Office Assistant

24. Mr. Anand Jaiswal, Watchmen

25. Mr. Dashrath Thakare, Watchman

26. Ms. Sushila Shahane, Field Worker

27. Mr. Krishna Bele, Field Worker

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